Vermont S 239: An act relating to enrollment in Medicare supplemental insurance policies

Bill Text

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No. 108. An act relating to the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting
Working Group.
(S.239)
It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont:
Sec. 1. CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT REPORTING WORKING
GROUP; REPORT
(a) The General Assembly finds:
(1) According to Child Trends, a research organization focused on
improving the lives of children, youth, and families, data shows that from 2022
through 2024 Vermont had a rate of referrals to child welfare services that was
over three times higher than the national level, with a rate of referral of 166 per
1,000 children in Vermont compared to 50 per 1,000 children nationally.
Additionally, only 17 percent of such referrals in Vermont met the criteria for
further action via an assessment or investigation compared to 54 percent
nationally.
(2) While the General Assembly recently reviewed and revised child
abuse and neglect substantiation procedures that occur after a referral has been
accepted by the Department for Children and Families, there has not been a
similar review of the training and requirements for mandatory reporting of
suspected child abuse or neglect to ensure they employ best practices and
provide sufficient guidance and resources for mandatory reporters.
(3) Data from Child Trends further shows that post-response services
such as mental health services, substance misuse treatment, family therapy,

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child care, parenting education, and resources to assist families living in
poverty were provided to only 28 percent of victims in Vermont compared
with the national average of 57 percent.
(4) The provision of services to children and families prior to, during,
and after a report of suspected child abuse or neglect is an essential element in
a comprehensive child protection system.
(b) There is created the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Working
Group for the purpose of examining the existing statutes and the Department
for Children and Families’ rules and policies regarding mandatory reporting of
abuse and neglect of a child and recommending changes to modernize them
and reflect current best practices. During its examination of mandatory
reporting, the Working Group shall consider what services and strategies may
be employed prior to any report of suspected abuse or neglect for the purpose
of providing assistance to families before a situation rises to the level of
requiring a report.
(c) The Working Group shall be composed of the following members:
(1) a member with lived experience as an abused or neglected child,
appointed by the Vermont Child, Youth, and Family Advisory Council;
(2) a member with lived experience as an individual who was reported
for suspected child abuse or neglect and an investigation found the report to be
unsubstantiated, appointed by the Vermont Parent Representation Center;

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(3) the Vermont Child, Youth, and Family Advocate or Deputy
Advocate;
(4) the Executive Director of the Vermont Center for Crime Victim
Services or designee;
(5) a co-executive director of the Vermont Network Against Domestic
and Sexual Violence or designee;
(6) a member from the Department for Children and Families’ Family
Services Division, appointed by the Deputy Commissioner of the Division;
(7) the Executive Director of Prevent Child Abuse Vermont or designee;
(8) the Director of the Vermont Parent Child Center Network or
designee;
(9) a certified law enforcement officer who has served on a special
investigative unit, appointed by the Vermont Law Enforcement Advisory
Board;
(10) a physician co-chair of the Vermont Citizen’s Advisory Board;
(11) a principal, appointed by the Vermont Principals’ Association;
(12) a representative of a designated agency that works in children’s
mental health, appointed by Vermont Care Partners; and
(13) the Vermont Office of Racial Equity.
(d) In conducting its work, the Working Group shall consult with
stakeholders, including:

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(1) the Vermont Children’s Alliance and representation from Child
Advocacy Centers;
(2) the Department of State’s Attorneys and Sheriffs;
(3) the Juvenile Division of the Office of the Defender General;
(4) KidSafe Collaborative;
(5) Voices for Vermont’s Children;
(6) the Vermont Parent Representation Center;
(7) Disability Rights Vermont;
(8) medical partners, such as the University of Vermont’s Child Safe
Program;
(9) the Office of the Attorney General;
(10) the Vermont School Counselor’s Association; and
(11) the Agency of Education.
(e) On or before April 1, 2027, the Working Group shall provide an interim
presentation to the House Committee on Human Services, the Senate
Committee on Health and Welfare, and the House and Senate Committees on
Judiciary on its work to date. On or before October 1, 2027, the Working
Group shall provide a final report detailing its findings and any recommended
legislative propo